Thales - 10 things to know with detail
- 1. Thales was a pre-Socratic Greek philosopher who is often considered one of the first Western philosophers. He lived in the 6th century BC in the city of Miletus in present-day Turkey.
- 2. Thales is often referred to as the "father of science" for his attempts to explain natural phenomena using rational thought rather than mythological explanations.
- 3. One of Thales' most famous contributions to philosophy was his belief that water was the fundamental substance of the universe. He believed that all things were made of water in different forms.
- 4. Thales is credited with predicting a solar eclipse that occurred in 585 BC. This prediction is considered one of the earliest examples of scientific reasoning in history.
- 5. Thales was also known for his mathematical discoveries, including the theorem that states that the base angles of an isosceles triangle are equal, and for his work in geometry.
- 6. Thales was one of the Seven Sages of Greece, a group of philosophers and statesmen who were renowned for their wisdom and ethical teachings.
- 7. Thales is said to have traveled extensively in Egypt and Babylonia, where he learned about mathematics, astronomy, and philosophy.
- 8. Thales' philosophy focused on the concept of monism, the belief that all things in the universe are ultimately derived from a single, fundamental substance.
- 9. Thales had a significant influence on later philosophers, including Anaximander and Anaximenes, who were also pre-Socratic thinkers from Miletus.
- 10. Thales' ideas laid the groundwork for the development of Western philosophy and science, and his legacy continues to be studied and debated by scholars to this day.